<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC., FOR THE TWO
QUARTERS ENDED JUNE 19, 2000 AND JUNE 14, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-01-2001             JAN-03-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-04-2000             DEC-29-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-19-2000             JUN-14-1999
<CASH>                                           4,921                  11,606
<SECURITIES>                                         0                  22,117
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,297<F1>               2,431<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,455                     922
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                36,290                  17,049
<PP&E>                                          88,811                 116,057
<DEPRECIATION>                                  43,528                  55,780
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 143,331                 124,397
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           53,288                  21,678
<BONDS>                                              0                  52,184
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             9                   2,961
<OTHER-SE>                                      47,760                  30,310
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   143,331                 124,397
<SALES>                                         92,757                  64,197
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                99,292                  66,487
<CGS>                                           84,141                  56,272
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   95,216                  64,174
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (392)                   (300)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,548                   3,357
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    920                 (1,628)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        74                      74
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                846                 (1,702)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    261                     454
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,107                 (1,248)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.12<F2>              (0.26)<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.12<F2>              (0.26)<F2>
<FN>
<F1>(1)  Receivables consist of--
     Accounts Receivable - net     $ 1,601    $ 1,938
     Notes Receivable - net          3,927        403
     Lease receivables, net          1,769          -
                                   ------------------
     Total                         $ 7,297    $ 2,341
                                   ==================

<F2>(2)  Restated to give effect to Merger
</FN>


</TABLE>